Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 909: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of Dublin inner city regeneration areas, designated for construction by public private partnerships, have seen the withdrawal of the private participant resulting in the cancellation or delay of much needed inner city rejuvenation where social housing is urgently required; the discussions, he has had with Dublin City Council; the future of public private partnerships for inner city housing regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28757/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Since the announcement of 19 May 2008 by Dublin City Council that five housing projects being carried out through PPP arrangements would not now be proceeding as planned, my Department and the Council have met several times to assess the implications of the announcement for the projects concerned. The City Council has also been engaged in discussions with the developer to identify the next steps in progressing these projects. Revised proposals have been received for some of the projects and avenues for bringing the matter to a conclusion are being explored by the City Council.

On all of the projects the City Council is working closely with the relevant regeneration boards, and has indicated its commitment to the remaining tenants in these areas. In advance of the completion of the City Council's review of the options available for advancing the projects concerned, the pursuit of alternative approaches to the delivery of the projects is premature. My Department is, however, remaining in close contact with the Council as it considers the issues arising.

Dublin City Council has also undertaken to examine all of the other Housing PPP projects currently in process to determine any negative impact from the recent announcements or the current market conditions. There has been no indication to date of any such impact and I am hopeful that this will continue to be the case. My Department is also examining the potential implications of these events for the PPP housing programme generally and a working group has been established in that regard. A report on the matter is expected in the Autumn.